Category: Futurity

The 2022 National Reining Horse Association Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships are in full swing in Oklahoma City. While the Futurity is held in the Jim Norick Coliseum, the NAACs are held in the Adequan® Arena. The NAAC competition spotlights a variety of members and horses from across North America who qualify to compete in Oklahoma City.

In addition to incredible prizes from NRHA Corporate Partners, the champion of each NAAC class will be recognized the following day in the Jim Norick Coliseum as a show of support for these successful affiliate riders.

Adequan® NAAC Open Co-Champion – Makendiamonds ridden by Jared Leclair

Riding Makendiamonds for owner Dorothy Queen, Jared Leclair secured the co-championship of both the Adequan® NAAC and ancillary Open, worth $5,370, with a score of 222.5. It was the cherry on top of a great year for the pair.

“It’s a really big deal to win an NAAC title,” Leclair said. “NRHA has done a great job promoting the NAACs, and there are a lot of competitors now, so it’s really tough. You have to show hard, and your horse has to be really good to win it. I feel lucky to have come out on top.”

Makendiamonds, bred by CDR Farms, is by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Whizkey N Diamonds and out of Makeit In Tinseltown. The flashy 6-year-old mare was started by Abby Lengel, and with Lengel at the reins, the pair finished eighth in the Level 4 Open at the 2019 NRHA Futurity.

Makendiamonds was purchased by Dorothy and her son, Paul Queen, during the 2021 NRHA Futurity. To date, the mare has won upwards of $150,000.

“Abby was very successful with her, and I’ve done well with her too. This was the last hurrah for her and I, and it’s a great way to end the year,” Leclair said. “She was really solid and great today.”

Although Leclair and co-champion Yonathan Baruch could have elected to run-off for the NAAC title, the two professionals elected not to. “This mare did her job today, and we were all winners today,” he said. “I thank Dorothy and Paul, my wife who is a huge supporter of mine, and all our help – both the ones here and at home keeping everything going.”

Adequan® NAAC Open Co-Champion – Peptos Lil Step ridden by Yonathan Baruch

NRHA Professional Yonathan Baruch set the pace early in the Adequan® Arena. Competing as draw two in the NAAC Open classes, Baruch and Peptos Lil Step marked a 222.5 to take the lead. When the last of the scores were tallied, Baruch and Peptos Lil Step, owned by Nancy Wheeler and Jimmy Nichols, had tied for the title, winning a load of prizes and checks totaling $5,370.

“Today was super easy. I just gave him about 30 minutes of a warmup, and I felt like he was ready. I knew the best thing to do is just trust him because that’s when he does the best,” Baruch, of Whitesboro, Texas, explained.

Peptos Lil Step, by NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire Wimpys Little Step out of Peptos Lil Melody, is an 8-year-old stallion that Baruch first started riding his 3-year-old year. He admits the stallion’s breeding contributed to being overlooked early in his career. “His dam is a daughter of Peptoboonsmal,” he explained. “He’s really turned into a very nice open horse. I haven’t shown any bred like him before, but I definitely will again!”

Owner Nichols and Wheeler make their home in California but sent Peptos Lil Step to Baruch to show in the Open Shootout at The Run For A Million presented by Teton Ridge. “We marked a 223 and were 16th, but he was unbelievable. We could have improved the pilot, but that’s just getting used to one,” Baruch explained, adding that he’s looking forward to attempting another TRFAM qualification in 2023.

“It’s a very long list,” Baruch humbly answered when asked who deserved recognition for helping him be successful. “Obviously, I thank the owners, Jimmy and Nancy. I also thank all my help and my beautiful girlfriend, Heidi. She does all the chiropractic work on our horses and is a huge part of them staying so sound. Thank you also to our vets, farriers, and sponsors. It takes a village. No win is ever achieved by just me.”

Adequan® NAAC Intermediate Open Champion – Sparkys Shining Doll ridden by Tyrel Pole

With a score of 219, Tyrel Pole and Sparkys Shining Doll claimed the Championship for the Adequan® NAAC Intermediate Open and the ancillary Intermediate Open. The pair also finished in the top 10 in the NAAC Open and ancillary division, earning more than $4,192. Making the win even more exciting? “Marvel” is owned by Pole and his wife, Rhea.

“We purchased him a year ago and have been hauling for an NRHA world title. Right now, he’s sitting near the top in the Intermediate and the Limited, and he’s been a really fun horse all year,” Pole said of the 10-year-old stallion, is by Friday Night Shiner out of BB Holly Doll.

It was early in the year when the Poles decided to pursue an NRHA world title. “We started in February or March, which might not sound like it was a last-minute decision, but it was. He was showing us he really wanted to be a show horse, and Rhea pulled us aside, said she thought we should try it, and so we went for it,” he said.

That decision sparked a whirlwind of a year. “This horse has been a trooper. I’ve shown him at every show within 200 miles of our house, and he’s been a very good and consistent horse every time. We are very thankful for him,” Pole explained. “

With the top finish in the Adequan® NAAC Intermediate Open, Pole and Marvel earned a spot in the Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Open Showdown on Dec. 1. “We had a few goals here. Our big goal is for Saturday because we’re sitting so well in the Limited Open standings, but we were also hoping to do well enough to compete in the Showdown. I think going inside the Coliseum to compete for those of us out here will be super fun,” he said. “I think there are a couple of things I need to clean up on myself, but he’s super. I’m just thankful for every time I get to show.”

Pole added, “I thank my wife because, without her, we would be 100 percent lost. I also thank my kids, who have been so good when we’ve been hauling up and down the road, as well as Sophia Kent, who works for us. I also thank the support system from the other trainers who help along the way.”

The top 10 finishers of the Adequan® NAAC Intermediate Open earn a spot in the clean-slate Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Open Showdown, which will be held Thursday, Dec. 1. All qualifiers must check-in and confirm their spot in the Showdown no later than noon on Nov. 30.

• Bob’s Custom Saddles Intermediate Open Showdown Qualifiers:
• Sparkys Shining Doll & Tyrel Pole
• Xtra Miss Wimpy & Sebastian Petroll
• Spooks Gotta Cowboy & Garrett A Thurner
• Prize Chex & Randy L. Schaffhauser
• Xtra Voodoos Storm & Drake J. Johnson
• Walla Be Custom & Jaden Beliveau
• Goodtime Tinseltown & Morgan Lee Moser
• Voodoo Gun & Jack Daniels
• Gallos Estrella & Meaghan Shea
• Magnifisent & Randall E Dooley
• With Addy Tude & Naike Bell

Adequan® NAAC competition continues Friday with the Limited Open. Complete draws, results, news, and more can be found at NRHAFuturity.com.

12.3.22: Shawn Flarida and Andiamoe Win 2022 NRHA Futurity Open Championship

12.3.22: Werner, Rafacz, and Schriebvogel Win NRHA Adequan® NAAC Titles and Showdowns

12.3.22: Sales Exceed $5.9 million During 2022 NRHA Markel Futurity Sale

12.2.22: Schumacher & Clutter Split 2022 NRHA Futurity CINCH Non Pro Championship

12.2.22: 2022 NRHA Adequan® NAAC Rookie and Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year Champions Crowned

12.1.22: A Great Day Eight at the NRHA Futurity & Adequan® NAAC

11.30.22: Andiamoe and Shawn Flarida Top NRHA Open Prelims with Fiery Scores

11.30.22: Vernon, Gentile, & Vazquez Claim NRHA Adequan® NAAC Non Pro Titles

11.29.22: Cash For Color: APHA’s Chrome Cash Makes a Splash at NRHA Futurity

11.29.22: Sommers & Dont Give A Flinn Lead 2022 NRHA Futurity L3 Open Semi-Finals

11.28.22: Gentile, Asmussen, and Rafacz Claim NRHA Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Championships

11.28.22: Jack Medows Tops CINCH Non Pro Futurity First Round on Fire N Rein

11.27.22: Medows and Fire N Rein Lead CINCH Non Pro Futurity Preliminaries After Day One

11.26.22: Davis & Pole Win NRHA Adequan® NAAC Titles

11.26.22: Shawn Flarida and Andiamoe Seize 2022 NRHA Open Futurity First Round Win

11.25.22: Stephanie Gentile Takes NRHA Limited Non Pro Adequan® NAAC on Joes Lil Wrangler

11.25.22: Tremblay and Lengel Lead NRHA Open Futurity Preliminaries following Second Section

11.24.22: Abby Lengel & Bringnthaheat Lead 2022 NRHA Open Futurity First Round (Day 1)

11.24.22: Baruch, Leclair, and Pole Win Adequan® NAAC Titles on First Day of NRHA Futurity

11.23.22: Reiners Slide into OKC for 2022 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® NAAC

Visit NRHAFuturity.com to follow along!

The futurity season for reining horses is nearing completion, and on Thanksgiving Day, the best riders in the world will begin the intense preliminary competition at the National Reining Horse Association’s premier and most prestigious event, the NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships.

The event, which begins Nov. 24 and runs through Dec. 3, draws exhibitors from around the globe, who will vie for a piece of a purse that exceeds $2,000,000, highlighted by a life-changing $350,000 check for the Level 4 Open Champion.

Under the lights of the historic Jim Norick Coliseum, the mettle of talented 3-year-old reining horses will be tested as they navigate through the signature circles, spins, and sliding stops the event is known for. At the same time, top riders and horses of all ages from across North America compete for major titles in the Adequan® Arena, hoping to nab a coveted championship and take major strides to clinch a year-end title as well.

While there are several futurities throughout the year, only one is known simply as “The Futurity.” Since its debut in 1966 in Columbus, Ohio, the show has grown from a handful of entries to more than 600 in the main event alone.

The payout has expanded, and to say it has done so significantly would be an understatement. This year’s L4 Open Champion will leave Oklahoma City $350,000 richer and in possession of one of the largest limited-age event championship check in the western performance horse industry. Not only that, but the L4 Open Reserve Champion will win a guaranteed $150,000, and third will take home $100,000.

Winning the Level 4 Open Championship is a three-step process. All Open entries compete in the first round, with the top 75 (plus ties) advancing to the L 4 Open Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All on Nov. 30. There, the top 30 (plus ties) move on to the clean-slate MS Diamonds TX L4 Open Futurity Finals on Dec. 3.

Some big changes have happened in the payouts for Open Levels 3, 2, and 1. The L3 Open Champion will receive $70,000, the Reserve titlist will take home $50,000, and third $35,000. The guaranteed payouts continue in Levels 2 and 1, with the L2 Champion pocketing $50,000, the L2 Reserve Champion winning $25,000, and the third-place finisher in the L2 pocketing a cool $15,000. The L1 Open winner will win $13,000, and the L1 Reserve will receive $7,000.

Open riders in Levels 1, 2, and 3 who are in the top 75 of their levels (but not in the top 75 of the Level 4) will compete in the Semi-Finals on Nov. 29. The top 30 in each of those levels (plus ties) will earn a spot in the first section of the Open Finals on Dec. 3.

Non Professional riders will also win big, with the L4 Non Pro title being accompanied by a check for $75,000, the Reserve Champion winning $45,000, and third taking $35,000! The top three in the L3 Non Pro will also be guaranteed big checks, with $40,000 going to first, $25,000 awarded to second, and $15,000 to third. The CINCH Non Pro Finals will be held Friday, Dec. 2, beginning at 9 a.m. with Levels 1, 2, 3, Youth, and Prime Time, and the CINCH Non Pro L4 Finals beginning at 4 p.m.

In addition to world-class competition, the NRHA Futurity boasts an impressive trade show with vendors ranging from clothing to furniture, western tack, décor, and more. In fact, the first three days of the event feature free admission so that everyone can come to enjoy some post-holiday shopping to prepare for Christmas.

One of the best, largest, and most exciting shopping opportunities will be on Dec. 1. That’s because the NRHA Markel Futurity Sales will be held in the Sale Arena. It’s a great opportunity to see some of the best horses the industry has to offer, from prospects to producers and everything in between. Last year the high seller – a yearling mare named Deja Vue (Gunnatrashya x Dun Its Déjà vu) commanded an impressive $170,000! Find more information about the NRHA Markel Futurity Sales at nrha.com/sales

Tickets for the 2022 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® NAAC are on sale now and can be purchased here.

Complete information, including draws, results, and more, can be found at NRHAFuturity.com.

The 2021 National Reining Horse Association Futurity made history on several levels, boasting the highest number of entries, the most robust purse, and the largest Open Championship check in history

NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary and Ten Thirty claimed the Championship and an incredible $350,000 Championship check from draw #1 of the MS Diamonds TX Level 4 Open Finals. The pair had been solid all week, topping the first round of the competition with a 225, and marking a 216 in the second round to earn a spot in the clean-slate finals.

In the Finals, the pair put together a flawless run, marking a 223.5 and winning an incredible $350,000. “You know, that horse has so much feel and so much ability that my job is just to stay out of his way and make sure I put him in the right spot. I thought he was exceptional tonight,” noted Deary, who’s won the Open Futurity twice before. “He really came together in the finals; he just kept getting better all week.”

Ten Thirty was bred and nominated by Brooke Wharton, who consigned the colt, by NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya and out of Dainty Little Step, to the NRHA Markel Futurity Sales. “Brooke tried to hide him from me. The first time I saw him was when he walked out of the stall to go to the sale ring, and I asked her why I hadn’t seen him,” Deary joked. “My friends Dany and Fred Tremblay bought him from the sale and took him home.”

Deary gave credit to Dany Tremblay, a fellow NRHA Million Dollar Rider, for the colt’s solid foundation. “Basically, Dany did all the work on him. I bought him on the way home from the NRHA Derby as a 2-year-old. Dany had him doing all the parts already, so there really was no guesswork. I knew he was capable of doing all the stuff,” he said. “Dany has been awesome to follow and did a fantastic job on this horse.”

Ten Thirty is now owned by Rancho El Fortin of Coahuila, Mexico. “We started this with my father, and I wish he could have been here to witness this,” Aldo Ramon said. “It’s really special. I just don’t have any words to express how this feels. It’s not easy. It’s a long way to get here, and we’re really happy.”

Aldo and his brothers Marco and Claudio were present to watch this historic win, but they admitted that the first position draw was discouraging. “It didn’t feel good, but Casey was confident. He said we would have fresh ground and that we’d set the bar high, and he did,” Marco shared.

“This was amazing, spectacular, overwhelming,” Claudio added.

The brothers have set their sights on the major derbies in 2022, naming the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel and the National Reining Breeders Classic as the next stops for Ten Thirty. “He’ll definitely be staying with Casey,” Marco shared.

Deary qualified three horses to the finals and finished 10th with Live N On A Prayer (In Like Flinn x Americasnextgunmodel), owned by Neiberger Performance Horses, and 11^th with Gunna Be Flintastic (In Like Flinn x ARC Gunna Mark Ya), owned by Donald Dieser/Justice PH. All totaled, Deary won $403,422, plus a year’s use of a trailer from Kyle Zanetti Trailers, a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Montana Silversmiths buckle, Anderson Bean Boots, a hat from Shorty’s Hattery, Platinum Performance, Anderson Bean boots, product from SmartPak, GlycoGuard, Brandt Blankets, Bluebonnet Feed, Dr. Joe Carter, and Classic Equine.

Tying himself for second, and unofficially becoming NRHA’s leading rider and only Seven Million Dollar Rider, was Andrea Fappani. Fappani rode Winding Inferno (Inferno Sixty Six x Wind Her Up Chic) and Mr Farenheit (Magnum Chic Dream x Wimpy Little Girl) to identical scores of 223. Winding Inferno, owned by Teton Ridge, was nominated by Giorgia Codeluppi, while Mr Farenheit, owned by the partnership of Morin and Vandorp, was nominated by Peter Morgan.

Level 3 & Level 2 Open Champion – Jesse Beckley & Trashinyurdreams

Canadian Jesse Beckley has come short of making the NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Finals several times. “I’ve missed it numerous times by a half point, so this one got the monkey off my back,” Beckley said.

Beckley made his Finals debut count, piloting Trashinyurdreams to a 222.5 to win the Levels 2 and 3, and place fifth in the Level 4 Open, pocketing a cool $120,652 for owner Norma Siebert.

When asked about this moment, Beckley acknowledged its significance. “Oh, yeah, being in the top of the Level 4 and taking the 3 and the 2 is a dream come true for anybody,” he said.

After scoring a 220 in both the first go round and the Semi-Finals, Beckley and Trashinyurdreams became a team to watch. The crowd was already full of adrenaline, but the Jim Norick trembled as Beckley ran in for his first stop. “I mean, I knew this horse was kind of a crowd favorite because he has been so good in the go rounds. Plus, he just has that lovable look about him. I knew it was going to be loud, but nothing can prepare you for that,” he shared.

After reaching out to friends looking for the “special horse,” Beckley finally had a lead. “My good friend Adam Hendrickson works for Judy Box. I was looking for a yearling/coming two-year-old a couple years ago, and Adam phoned me and said ‘We’ve got a bunch of nice ones this year, and I think I have the one that you’re looking for,’ and it ended up being a perfect match,” Beckley explained. That colt, Trashinyurdreams, is by NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya out of This Chicsdundreamin, and was nominated by Rhodes River Ranch.

“I thank all the guys that helped me. I mean, there are so many people that I can’t even list everybody at this point. Thank you to all of them,” he said.

Dakin Allred gave Beckley a run for the money, piloting Ice Face to a 222, taking the Level 3 Reserve Championship and tying for sixth in the Level 4 for total earnings of $79,707. Ice Face, owned by Bettina Bellini Geno/Joy Ghiselli, is by SG Frozen Enterprize out of Dun Painting My Face. The colt was nominated by Ginger Schmersal.

There was a two-way tie for second in the Level 2 Open between Josh Lyons and Eduardo Salgado, who both marked a 215.5. Salgado rode Toca Lil Vintage, by Two Million Dollar Sire A Sparkling Vintage out of Lil Dreamer, owned and nominated by Renata Lemann. Salgado won $10,082.

Lyons rode I Shine At Nite, by NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Gunners Special Nite out of Shiney Enterprise, to not only tie for the Level 2 Reserve Championship, but also finish in a tie for 10^th in the Level 3, earning $19,688. I Shine At Nite, bred by McQuay Stables and nominated by Kevin Colston, is owned by Josh and his wife Jana.

Prime Time Open Champion – Dan Huss & This Joe Got A Gun

Dan Huss and This Joe Got A Gun snagged the Prime Time Open Futurity Championship title Saturday night in the Jim Norick arena, cashing in with a score of 221.5. That’s because the pair not only topped the Prime Time, they finished third in the Level 3 and tied for eighth in the Level 4 to win more than $62,440.

Huss is no stranger to success in the arena during the Futurity, riding This Joe Got A Gun to a 223 during the first round of the Open Futurity to top the Level 3. “You know, I’ve been at this for quite a few years and I wanted to step up there and show everybody that we can still do it,” Huss said.

As Huss and This Joe Got a Gun, sired by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Lil Joe Cash out of This Girls Got A Gun, stood at the Gateway of Champions before entering the Norick Coliseum, Huss chose to think of his maneuvers instead of a number to mark.

“I try to think of the steps I need to do that maneuver as good as my horse can,” Huss said. “I wanted to be aggressive on my first maneuver, and I wanted to make the judges sit up in their chairs and score me.”

Started by Max Sloan, Huss found This Joe Got a Gun on a reining horse shopping trip in Texas. Bob Sheer, a customer of Huss’s, bought him but was told to take a year off from riding by his doctors and had Huss sell the horse to Jamie Walters, another customer of Huss’ and a Non Pro rider.

“We sold him to Jamie with the idea that he is going to be her derby horse,” Huss shared. “So he is going to go on to be a non pro horse.”

While the score didn’t quite reflect what Huss had hoped to accomplish, he added he is very proud of This Joe Got a Gun and the team that got him here. When asked who he would like to thank, Huff shared, “It’s a whole team effort!”

NRHA Six Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida took reserve honors in the Prime Time Open and finished tied for fourth in the Level 4 to win more than $75,000 on Shiner On My Eye. The colt, by Shiners Voodoo Dr out of Flashy Lil Step, is owned by NRHA Million Dollar Owner Robert Santagata. The pair’s success in the Norick Coliseum helped Shiners Voodoo Dr become, unofficially, an NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire.

Level 1 Open Champion – Abby Kampmann & Sparklins Last Dream

The Level 1 Open Futurity Championship was decided during the first section of the Open Finals, and it was Abby Kampmann and Sparklins Last Dream, owned by Viola Scott, who emerged victorious.

The path to the championship was a bit of a rollercoaster, with a solid first round 212.5-point run, followed by a 204 in the semi-finals. The two came back strong to mark their personal best – a 214.5 – and take the title. Kampmann won $5,707 and took home awards including a saddle from Bob’s Custom Saddles, a Montana Silversmiths buckle, a hat from Shorty’s Hattery, Platinum Performance, Anderson Bean boots, product from SmartPak, GlycoGuard, Brandt Blankets, Bluebonnet Feed, Dr. Joe Carter, and Classic Equine.

“The first go we had a clean run, but I didn’t actually push her hard enough to get the credit I needed. The second go I pushed her harder, but we had some bobbles,” Kampmann shared. “For the Finals, I knew I needed to speed her up but slow myself down.”

The formula worked. “I’m still in shock. This is not something I thought would happen when we backed off the trailer. I was just hoping for the best run we could have, so I am thrilled things worked out the way they did,” she said. “This filly means so much to Viola and Jack Scott. To have her be successful means so much.”

Sparklins Last Dream is indeed special. She is by Magnum Chic Dream, the Scott’s NRHA Six Million Dollar Stallion, and out of Still Sparklin, who was a full sister to NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Shining Spark.

“When Carol Rose had her dispersal sale, she owned Still Sparklin. She didn’t want to sell her, and she told me, ‘I’d like to give her to you,’” Scott recalled. “That mare gave us five babies – four boys, and then this little girl. She’s the last one, and that’s how she got her name. Her mother was such a nice mare, and a gift to us from Carol.”

Scott added, “Abby did such a super job with our special girl. I am so proud of them both.”

Riding Reyzed On Crush, Raphael Bourdeau took the Level 1 Reserve Championship with a 214, winning $4,326. Reyzed On Crush is by PS Mega Shine Chic out of Dual Rey Olena Play. The colt, bred by Sandy Corriveau, was nominated and is owned by Adh-Mor Ranch.

The Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships, held during the National Reining Horse Association Futurity, culminated Saturday afternoon. The Bob’s Custom Saddles Rookie 2 and Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year Showdowns in the Coliseum, and the NAAC Youth 14-18 competition being held in the Adequan® Arena.

Rita Clausen Wins NRHA Bob’s Custom Saddles & Toyon Ranch Rookie Showdowns

The final day of the 2021 National Reining Horse Association Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships kicked off with intense competition in the Jim Norick Coliseum.

The inaugural Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year Showdown and Bob’s Custom Saddles Rookie Level 2 Show were run concurrently, and after the last horse had cleared the pen, only one entry remained at the top of both divisions – Rita Clausen.

The 15-year-old competitor was teamed up with veteran reiner Smart Tinseltown, and the duo marked a 214, winning the $5,000 bonus for both divisions. “This was so much fun, I just had so much fun with it,” Clausen said. “We turned ok, and had a turn penalty the second way, but he circled really good and easy. Then he stopped good, and he was really honest,” she said.

With a $10,000 purse up for grabs in both the Toyon Ranch and Bob’s Custom Saddles Showdowns, Clausen had to battle a bit of nervousness. “I was a little nervous, and was even feeling kind of sick this morning,” Clausen admitted. “I decided I just needed to deal with it, get on, and go show.”

She added, “Thank you so much to both of the sponsors. This was such a fun class and opportunity, and I really enjoyed it.”

Smart Tinseltown is by NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook out of Tinseltown Lil Step. The 11-year-old gelding has won more than $124,000 in his career, including big wins with both of Rita’s sisters, Anna and Shelby. “He has been in our family forever. Both of my sisters have shown him and done well on him, and now it’s my turn,” Rita said. “Next year I get to show him in the Non Pro classes.”

Clausen thanked her parents, Marie Kleiner, and the whole Schmersal barn.

Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year Showdown Winners

• Rita Clausen & Smart Tinseltown – $5,000
• Logan Flaherty & Cashing Black Chex – $2,500
• Rita Clausen & Whiz Eli Code – $1,500
• Wayne Mizelle & Whizkey At Dawn – $1,000

Bob’s Custom Saddles Rookie 2 Showdown Winners

• Rita Clausen & Smart Tinseltown – $5,000
• Logan Flaherty & Cashing Black Chex – $2,500
• Caleb Sturgeon & Whizkeys Shining Gun – $1,500
• Rita Clausen & Whiz Eli Code – $1,000

Mazie Petelski Wins NAAC Youth 14 – 18 Championship on Chexalicious

With a score of 214, Mazie Petelski won the Adequan® NAAC Youth 14-18 Championship. Her partner for the event was Chexalicious, by Busy Winin Chex out of Gunnaliciuos. The duo won a saddle from Continental Saddlery, a Montana Silversmiths buckle, product from Dr. Joe Carter, Platinum Performance and Classic Equine, and a gift certificate for Bluebonnet Feed.

“I’ve had him about seven months now, and have been to about six shows,” Petelski said. “Today he was super honest in the show pen. We just walked in, he put his game face on, and we went for it. He was there for me the whole time and never had any bobbles. Everything I asked him to do, he did, and he just felt really nice and honest.”

Next up for the pair? “This coming year will be his last derby year. We will probably just go to the derbies until he’s not eligible anymore,” Petelski said of the 6-year-old gelding. “To win this means so much, and that all of the hard work I have put in these past few months has finally paid off. Hopefully, we can just continue to grow from here.”

Petelski thanked her trainer, Logan Brumfield, and her parents.